Background and objectives Allergic diseases are among major pediatric issues as they are highly prevalent and chronic. Therefore, identification of factors contributing to allergic disease could play a significant role in prevention of these conditions. This study aimed at investigating the IgE level in newborn’s umbilical cord blood and its relationship with some maternal factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 101 mothers and their newborns in Babol, Iran 2016. The samples were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Information including newborn sex, gravidity, history of allergy before and during pregnancy (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hives, food allergy, and drug allergy), family history of allergy among mothers, history of exposure to secondhand smoke and pets, and delivery techniques was recorded. The IgE levels in newborn umbilical cord blood and maternal serum were measured using an IgE kit and ELISA technique. Results The newborns included 53 females (52.5%) and 29 mothers had vaginal birth (28.7%). History of exposure to secondhand smoke was found in 15 samples (14.9%), and 18 participants reported exposure to pets (17.8%). The median IgE levels in newborns and their mothers were 0.41 and 98.6, respectively. In general, IgE level in all newborns was within the normal range, but, it was higher than normal in 15 mothers (14.9%). The IgE level was significantly higher in male newborns than that of the female newborns (p = 0.011). There were no significant differences in the IgE levels of mothers and their newborns on the basis of delivery technique and history of exposure to pets (p > 0.05). Conclusion In this study, the IgE level in all newborns was within the normal range, and sex was found to be an effective factor in IgE levels.

Background:Smoking has deleterious effects on bone mass and is associated with the subsequent development of osteoporosis, particularly in elderly participants. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of smoking in the elderly male smokers.Methods:All male participants aged 60 years and older of the Amirkola cohort who performed bone densitometry entered the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. In statistical analysis, the smokers and nonsmokers were compared according to BMD, frequency of low bone mass defined as BMD T-score <−1 at either LS or FN, and the number of bone fractures. SPSS software version 18 was used for analysis.Results:A total of 203 smokers with mean smoking duration of 21.67 ± 17.7 years and the mean number of 36.4 + 15.8 cigarettes per day were compared with 408 nonsmokers. The mean BMD values in LS (0.90 ± 0.14 vs. 0.94 ± 0.19) and FN section (0.87 ± 0.13 vs. 0.89 ± 0.15) and also the frequency of bone fractures were significantly lower, and the frequency of low bone mass at either LS and FN was significantly higher in smokers (P = 0.014, 0.038, 0.003, and 0.004, respectively). In multiple logistic regression analysis, smoking was independently associated with low bone mass by odds ratio of = 2.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.49–3.44).Conclusions:These findings indicate a significant association between low bone mass and bone fracture at either LS or FN in the elderly male smokers.